Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
The latest addition from Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) to their Yellow Series is No 6110, covering the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden.
The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (whilst Raiden was the name the Japanese gave it, it was widely known by the Allies by its code name of Jack). The aircraft was designed against a Japanese Naval Air Force requirement for a high speed and fast rate of climb land based interceptor for employment in the defence of strategic positions – a point defence fighter to defend against air attack from ground-attack and bomber aircraft.
The book follows the now familiar MMP format. The first few chapters provide a thorough coverage of the Raiden's developmental and technical history from the prototype stage, through the various models (J2M2 Model 11 to J2M6 Model 31) to the field modifications that were carried out during its operational life.
MMP is well known for its use of excellent, clear photographs and this book is no exception. It contains 57 black and white, and 73 full colour photographs. Some of the photographs will be familiar with ardent fans of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force but most are new or seldom used – no mean feat on behalf of the publisher in collecting them! Clever use has been made of the colour photos (modern-day ones of the only remaining intact Raiden) by mixing them with wartime ones and technical drawings to illustrate details of the airframe in a walk-around type coverage.
The Raiden wore the standard "dark green over light grey" camouflage and this is well illustrated by 35 full colour profiles. Scattered amongst them are a couple of variations including the orange/yellow prototype, the natural metal finish example in U.S. markings as tested by the Technical Air Intelligence Unit – South West Pacific Area and the Allied Technical Air Intelligence. I have included a couple of these with this review but if you want to see more MMP have put a few up on their website at: http://mmpbooks.biz
The book itself has been printed in Poland. It is B5 in size-240x165 mm (the same size as the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series) and comprises 80 pages printed on good quality glossy paper between cardboard covers.
If you have a couple of the excellent Hasegawa kits, or even the old (but still good Otaki ones) stashed away this is the best reference you are going to find to help you in creating your next masterpiece.
Recommended.

www.j-aircraft.com  2009-10-29

by David Brizzard
The newest title from this publisher is one of the best yet. In the typical Mushroom format, this 80 page little gem has 72 color photos of a museum aircraft, 36 color profiles, 47 black and white photos, 14 1/72 scale drawings, 1 original WW2 color photo, tech data charts, tail code descriptions, cockpit photos, tech drawings, all showing the history of this aircraft from the J2M1 to the J2M7 ko. Again, a must have in your collection.

IPMS USA Website  2009-10-29

Reviewed By Jack Bruno, #25313
The J2M Raiden "Jack" was a stubby little A/C that I compare to the P-47 Thunderbolt in that it was a departure away from the maneuverability and lightweight airframe of the Zero. Reading the forward of this beautifully compact book, I discovered that the Raiden was indeed created / developed by the same Team that brought the Japanese Military the A6M. As with the rest of the YELLOW series of Books that I've been reviewing, nothing is short changed here. All versions are covered with pictures and line drawings and further details are highlighted by photo's of real surviving a/c. You have all of the close-ups here such as Cockpit, Fuselage, Wing, Armament, Engine, Tail and Undercarriage and the rest of the Tech Data, Development and Field Modifications.
Of particular help to this reviewer was the line up and placement of the break lines and attachment of the 300 liter drop tank. Mostly all of the close-up shots are in color to further aid modelers, like myself, create an accurate version in plastic. Pages 63 thru 80 feature color side-views of different Marks and Units of this Navy A/C; 2 per page no less! The only drawback I can find is the lack of Combat reports informing the reader of the effectiveness of the Raiden and a list of Ace's that flew the Jack. All that aside, I can't imagine building a model of this kit without these Fantastic Books to help and guide me.

Modelling Madnes  2009-10-29

By Scott Van Aken
Adding to the growing list of great books from Mushroom Models is this new one on the J2M Raiden. Given the Allied code name 'Jack', the Raiden was probably the Japanese Navy's first dedicated interceptor. Designed specifically for the purpose of getting into the air and to the enemy's bombers as quickly as possible, it put aside the requirement of being a good dog-fighter in order to have the largest engine placed in the smallest possible airframe.
As with all the other similar editions from Mushroom Models Publications, this one opens with a brief introduction to the type and then goes on to cover all the sub-types with drawings and photographs to illustrate the salient differences between them.
It is then followed with a section by section look at the airframe of existing types. In this case the only extant aircraft I'm aware of is the J2M3 that is held by the Air Museum in Chino, California. It is that aircraft which is the subject of all the close-ups and detail images. Interspersed with these images are drawings of the section in question as well as period photographs of these sections, wherever possible.
The final section is one that I find is the most inspirational, and that is the one of profiles. There are fully 18 pages of profiles and three views, superbly illustrated by Zygmunt Szeremeta of all the different variants and variations of the J2M.
Enthusiasts of Japanese military aviation should not be without this valuable and interesting guide to one of the JNAF's most important interceptors.

InternetModeler  2009-10-29

By Ray Mehlberger
This new book covers the pugnacious Japanese 'Raiden' fighter, developed at much the same time as the famous Zero and by the same team. However, the emphasis for it was on speed, rate of climb, and heavier armament. These were radical departures from the usual Japanese emphasis on light weight and manoeuverability. Given the Allied code name 'Jack', this fighter was slow to appear in JNAF service, but frorm 1943 onwards gave the Japanese Navy an effective interceptor whose importance escalated as USAAF attacks on the homeland intensified.
The book describes the technical development of the Raiden, and illustrates all versions with photos and plans. The J2M2 Model 11, J2M3 Model 21, J2M4 Model 32, J2M5 Model 33 and the J2M6 Model 31 are all discussed.
There are 80 pages in the book, 36 wartime black and white photos, 94 pictures taken of the sole remaining Raiden in a museum (these are walk-around type pictures and we are never told where these were taken - too bad). There are 34 full color side profiles and two of these are two views with the top shown also. There are 25 black and white line drawings showing various parts of the Raiden's anatomy and four tech data tables. Quite a bit of information!!
This book will be an invaluable reference source for Japanese aviation enthusiasts, modelers and historians. Highly recommended.